Compressor clutch bearing

[GTVGEOFF]

Gransport
I have been told that the bearing in the clutch A/C compressor has wear. Is it possible to replace these or do I require a new compressor.
And how difficult a job is it?

 

[GTVGEOFF]

Another thought, if the bearing goes out whist driving what damage is likely to occur?

 

[MaserMike]

Hi Geoff. You should be able to replace the bearing, worst case have it refurbished. I'm having mine rebuilt plus new canister and future proofed seals for the new A/C gas coming in soon.

Shiltech are doing mine + service on the Redhead.

Cheers
Mike

 

[safrane]

Another thought, if the bearing goes out whist driving what damage is likely to occur?

So this happened to me and the car could not be moved.

The clutch and winding will just melt and then the cars Aux Belt will not be able to rotate resulting in a lot of rubber smoke coming from the engine bay and not able to start. OK at home or local but not when you are in Bazel! We had to leave the car at the hotel and recover later and then get it fixed in France some 2 weeks later after Zep sources a cheaper part.

Emblem had checked the car out just a few days earlier (ok we did do 2k in that time), but they just noted some wear and advised a new one, but I thought it would be OK for a while.

 

[CatmanV2]

Happened to someone at Silverstone on the anniversary run, from memory. They were in front of me and we'd just pulled off the track.

C

 

[Zep]

I spoke to a refurb company about rebuilding these compressors. They said that if the bearing spins in the casing they can’t be rebuilt. Was some time ago mind.

If anyone needs one, I have the old one from my GS in the shed, didn’t fail but had bearing noise. Might be useful to rebuild.

 

[fphil]

Another thought, if the bearing goes out whist driving what damage is likely to occur?

None, you just cut the compressor belt for coming back home. I replaced mine (420SI), no need to pull out the compressor, do it from the front ok.

 

[Zep]

None, you just cut the compressor belt for coming back home. I replaced mine (420SI), no need to pull out the compressor, do it from the front ok.

I suppose there is a health warning with this. With the belt off, there is no power steering or alternator. So it would be for short journeys only.

 

[GTVGEOFF]

So this happened to me and the car could not be moved.

The clutch and winding will just melt and then the cars Aux Belt will not be able to rotate resulting in a lot of rubber smoke coming from the engine bay and not able to start. OK at home or local but not when you are in Bazel! We had to leave the car at the hotel and recover later and then get it fixed in France some 2 weeks later after Zep sources a cheaper part.

Emblem had checked the car out just a few days earlier (ok we did do 2k in that time), but they just noted some wear and advised a new one, but I thought it would be OK for a while.

Yes similar, I had my car checked over and a new dryer fitted two thousand ago, so bit lived.

 

[GTVGEOFF]

I spoke to a refurb company about rebuilding these compressors. They said that if the bearing spins in the casing they can’t be rebuilt. Was some time ago mind.

If anyone needs one, I have the old one from my GS in the shed, didn’t fail but had bearing noise. Might be useful to rebuild.

Thanks for the reply Zep, that might be useful, my car is with a speciaiist at the moment who advised it to be done, just wondering whether to have a crack at it myself. It is working fine blowing nice and cold so guess it is just the clutch bearing.
Can anyone tell me the make model etc of the compressor so I can check on a replacement at sensible money.

 

[Zep]

It’s a Sanden 7v16. Beware however there are a lot of configurations of 7v16 with different mountings.

This might help.

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/alternative-parts-what-everyone-needs-to-know.51/post-812121

 

[conaero]

If the nose bearing spins then the casting is done and it can’t be rebuilt. GT/QP are easy to get aftermarket but 4200 ones are not.

 

[TimR]

?

Service Dept | demo

Site description

www.compressortech.co.uk

 

[Zep]

?

Service Dept | demo

Site description

www.compressortech.co.uk

Yep. These are the guys I spoke to. Very helpful.

 

[GTVGEOFF]

Thanks all, this is all very useful. I have also seen the guide on here on how to change the A/C compressor by mas, very helpful.